I just scouted out some land that I think will be good for hunting.

Picture a square mile with a large hill at the center sloping evenly in all 4 directions. On the west side of the hill at the base are farm fields with cows, pastures and corn. The northern border is defined by a stream.

While tracking the stream on the northen border I finally found a place to cross. Waiting for me at the other side were fresh deer tracks! There was also a defined path to the stream to drink. This land near the stream is swamp like so I followed the tracks to the base of another large hill. At this base there looked to be a meeting place of 3 trails. There were ferns knocked down in all three directions. One heads North, one South, and one east up the hill. As I'm looking at these trails I notice acorns! As I was walking out I noticed 2 other sets of tracks in the mud. This swampy area is kind of a valley with the east, west and north being large hills that funnel into this swamp. I also heard what I *thought* may have been a buck roughing up a tree with his antlers but it was pretty loud.

If I had to guess the tracks were about 2 1/2 inches long so it may be a female or fawn.

So do I have something here? Where do I put my stand? Any tips?

Thanks
Geoff

Being early season you definitely want to key on food more than anything, and it sounds like you have that along with the possibility of a natural funnel area, if you can tell that the deer are feeding on the acorns then by all means set up on it and see what happens. You will learn even more from just being there hunting. Good luck man, kill a big 'un!!

Edited by - Mountain Cur on 09/03/2002 19:12:00

I think I'm a little confused with where they bed, and where they eat.

This swampy area and stream obviously supply water. They also probably spend some time in the thick woods on the hill and some time in the swamp.

Would that mean they "bed" in the woods and eat in the swamp? Maybe they eat at the corn field .1 miles away?

I guess what I'm saying is the areas are

1) woods - ?
2) stream - Used as water source
3) swamp - ? acorns and plants to eat? Cover?
4) cow pasture - ?
5) corn field - ? food? daytime hiding spot?

When are they at these different spots?

I have found that deer usually bed in the thickest cover available. Thats where I would start looking. I would set up a stand between the thickest cover and the feeding areas, whether that being the acorns in the swamp or the corn fields. Deer will and do travel long distances for food. We've killed deer on our property that have had soy beans in their stomachs, when the closest bean field is well over a mile away!!

Also, areas, like swamps, that are usually hard to access and traverse will hold lots of deer, especially once the hunting pressure takes its toll. Good luck.

Hunt the thickets

Well sounds like you do have something here. Well if it were me I would glass that cow pasture and see if the deer are using it. second I would watch the weather channel and find out how the wwind blows every day to give u a good idea on the patterns in your area. i would then find a route,approaching downwind if possible to that area your talking about. if the wind is out of the west and there using that field in the afternoon i would approach from the south if possible and try to intercept them coming to the field. just a couple ideas hope this can help. and can u get aerial photos of this property?? good luck in whatever you do. scout it while your hunting get back and slowly move in

Edited by - smokyghost on 09/03/2002 22:08:53

Sounds good. Plan on the deer coming from the low fields in the morning and vice versa in the evening. A little afar scouting should verify this for you.

Look for "washes" or dried creek beds heading down the hill - work your way to the top(head) of the wash, and you've found a funnel. Often the heads of washes are along a bench, or defined "ridge" which get some pretty good buck movement, and rub lines come late October. You can also use these dried up creek beds to get to your stand, just clear out any debris to make it a little easier to get in quietly. They do not have to be deep, or steep, deer will generally cross at the head, or along a flat spot (bench) on the side hill.

Good luck.

GeoffM24 I have found that the does will bed the thick cover while a lot of the bucks will bed in a high vantage point where they can see a long way like on top of the hill in the center of the woods. Or you may want to check the edge of the woods for an aera that has good cover where they can see for a long distance and where nothing can sneak up behind them like maybe in a corner

good luck and God bless

One thing i have seen in our area is that the deer will follow the new food source. They have and will always been around the corn but it seems when those acorns start falling they like the change of food and will concentrate on them. I would set up close to where those trails come together and see what happens. When rut comes if you have patterned them does you will find the bucks (if one hasn't came by before then) Good Luck!!!

Thanks for the great help guys.

I have managed to find a topographical map and some arial shots to scope out the area a little better.

According to the arial shots this swamp is just north of the fields containing corn and cow pastures. To the East of the swamp is a very good sized forest along with a dense forest to the East of the corn fields/pastures. To the West of the fields is a road and houses.

On the West side of the swamp is where I will be entering from. There is a trail from an old railway that used to be there that runs into a pine forest with little ground cover. When I get to the swamp I climb down a small hill to it. I think I'm going to do some glass scouting from this area.

My question is in regards to the thick woods to the East of the swamp and pastures. I imagine that the Deer would probably take cover here and come to the swamp and fields to eat and drink.

Does this mean I want to be IN the swamp?

Do I want to hike into these deep woods even though I will have to cross the swamp to get to it?

Should I just put a stand on the Western Hill I enter from and watch the swap since it is easy to get to without being detected?

Thanks guys.

Well if you can get set up in the swamp thats where id be, but are they bedding in the pines? Well I would do what you said glass from that area maybe youll catch one coming from somewhere and get an idea on whats going on. The reason I said are they bedding in the pines is because around here they love the pines. At least you have aerial photos. watch the wind and go with your instinct. I think once you learn a little about the land youll key in on it. good luck